Chronic pain affects between one-third and one-half of people living in the UK. This is likely to rise further with an ageing population. The number of prescriptions issued for strong opioids (equivalent to a total daily dose of morphine 120 mg or higher) for chronic pain has increased significantly in recent years. However, there is little evidence to show that these medicines provide a lasting improvement in pain and function. By contrast, evidence increasingly suggests that they cause significant side effects which can result in a reduced quality of life.
How confident do you feel in supporting people living with pain to self-manage their symptoms? Would you feel comfortable recommending a deprescribing plan for a person on strong opioids?
If you want to be able to take a person-centred approach to opioid deprescribing when supporting people living with chronic pain, then sign up now for our new Deprescribing opioids in people with chronic pain focal point online workshop. These online workshops are open to all pharmacy professionals in England and provide an excellent opportunity to share new ideas and practices with pharmacy colleagues from around the country.
Book your place on the online Deprescribing opioids in people with chronic pain focal point workshop scheduled to run on 8th July from 7:00pm to 8:45pm with a further opportunity on the 16th September. You can participate in this group learning from the comfort of your home.